Welcome to the ultimate destination for dog enthusiasts and social media mavens alike. At Dogfluencers, we're passionate about showcasing the best and brightest in the world of four-legged fame.
Whether you're looking for adorable photos, heartwarming stories, or expert tips on how to turn your own pup into a social media star, we've got you covered.
Today we got the honor of interviewing Heather (Leela & Malibu's Human). You can find a direct link to their Instagram here.
Here is their story:
Can you tell us about your journey to becoming a dog influencer? What inspired you to start sharing your dog's adventures on social media?
Heather: I started Leela’s Instagram account back at the end of 2021. I wanted to have a spot to share all of her pictures and look back on them. I had been following a few popular Doberman Instagram accounts and thought to myself “why not share our dog?!” I love taking photos of her and thought it would be fun to share her with the world.
What do you think sets your dog apart from other dogs on social media? What makes them unique or particularly interesting to your followers?
Heather: I think what sets Leela apart is her personality and her presence. She is so sweet and always is so happy! Because of this, I always write her captions in a positive/fun light. I also try to post videos that show what Leela is like on a daily basis. Leela is also one of Malibu’s daughters, so having a mom and daughter duo is fun for people to see. Malibu joined our family last summer. She’s more chill and is a little less into the whole Instagram scene, but she is featured sometimes on Mondays and she has very dedicated fans!
How do you come up with ideas for your dog's posts and content? Do you have a specific creative process?
Heather: Usually I just take clips and highlights from our daily life. Sometimes I will follow what is trending at the time (trending audio or trending video ideas), but I’ll put Leela and Malibu’s spin on it. And sometimes I just post cute pictures that I like. I like to have a mix.
Have you ever faced any challenges or negativity on social media, and how have you dealt with it?
Heather: Yes, definitely have faced some negativity on social media after one of Leela’s reels went viral. But luckily our followers are so supportive. I try not to think about the negative people/comments. Something I have done to protect my own peace is setting up “hidden words” on Instagram. I have certain words and phrases blocked. It really helps! At the end of the day, Leela and Malibu are happy and healthy and that’s what is most important.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own dog influencer account or share their dog on social media?
Heather: Go for it! It’s really fun and you can connect with other dogs and people who are passionate about their pups too!
How has your dog influenced your life outside of social media?
Heather: They’ve made me more active. My husband and I go on adventures with the pups and we always have a great time! They have added so much joy in our lives.
Can you tell us about a particularly memorable or funny moment you've had with your dog during one of your photo shoots or adventures?
Heather: I always hold up the treats to get the dogs' attention for pics. They drooled so much waiting the other day, I had to give them the treat first and try to take some pictures without one. Haha.
What is your favorite thing about being a dog influencer?
Heather: The community is amazing! Being able to share our dogs and seeing how much other people enjoy the posts. It’s a great way to capture Leela and Malibu's memories.
Lastly, what's next for you and your dog on social media? Any exciting plans or projects in the works?
Heather: Honestly just having fun and going on adventures when we can. We reached 6k followers last year and that was so exciting! Hoping to continue to grow this year!
